Prevail

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /pɹɪˈveɪl/

Definitions

1. To prove superior in strength or influence, or to be widespread and dominant in a particular time or place
2. To succeed in overcoming challenges or opposition while also being broadly accepted or prevalent in certain contexts
3. To emerge victorious against difficulties or adversaries while also being common or widespread in specific situations

Etymology: The Latin "valeō" meant "be strong, be able, be well," and it is the root of many English words such as "valid," "value," and "valiant." Its compound "praevaleō" added "prae," meaning "before," so the sense was roughly "be stronger than others" or "be more able." Through Old French "prevaler," the word reached Middle English as "prevailen," and it carried that basic idea of coming out on top. English once had its own word for the same job. Old English "rīcsian," meaning "to rule" or "to hold sway," was pushed aside by this French-derived arrival, so the native verb vanished while its foreign competitor took over its role. The newcomer's meaning shifted gradually from military or physical superiority toward the more general sense of winning out in a contest, or of being widespread and common.

Synonyms: triumph, succeed, win, overcome, conquer

Antonyms: fail, lose, succumb, yield, submit